La Rolandière

Dinner was homemade, simple, and really good. Breakfast times were flexible, and the owners were warm, helpful, and welcoming. It’s a pretty, quiet setting too. Breakfast could have offered a bit more variety, though, like honey, wholemeal bread, or cereal.

The staircase was more like a ladder, so getting around was awkward. We had four rooms for the weekend, but just one toilet and one shower for the whole floor. Eight cats wandered through the rooms at night, which is definitely unsuitable for anyone with asthma. The woman running the guesthouse was unusually unfriendly, and breakfast was very basic. At that high price, we were very disappointed and wouldn’t recommend it.

The best thing nearby was La Cabane, with excellent burgers to eat there or take away. The children could also use the nearby municipal playgrounds and fields. The countryside is quiet, apart from the church service at 6:30 in the morning. Alain gave us a warm welcome, though Monique didn’t greet us, and our dog was welcome and able to run in the garden. For 75 euros, the value felt poor given the fairly average service. I think 50 to 60 euros would be fairer. Getting to the three attic bedrooms is risky: there are two very steep ladders, and they’re extremely noisy too. I wouldn’t recommend them for young children, older people, or anyone with a disability. The beds were uncomfortable, the sheets worn, and the attic rooms got very hot on summer nights. With the skylight open, there were mosquitoes, so bring repellent because none was provided. Our tiny bathroom under the eaves was shared with another room, with only three towels for five people. Cleanliness seemed questionable, including flooring that’s hard to clean and very old bathroom fixtures. The worst part was the smell throughout the otherwise lovely but very rustic house, a mix of woodwork and damp. It could be okay for a short roadside stop at a lower price, but for a longer stay...

The gentleman was very kind, but housekeeping clearly wasn’t his strength. I was on a work trip and didn’t have another option. The shared bathroom and toilet wouldn’t lock, so I didn’t dare shower in case I ended up face to face with another guest. The room was awful too, and I’m not even sure the sheets had been washed. I was meant to leave at 6:30 a.m. Since I wasn’t served until 8, he offered to leave me the coffee maker and some biscuits for breakfast. He must have forgotten, because I left with nothing. Such a shame, given the beautiful, charming house and its potential for a proper welcome. Avoid!